This copper engraving is from a remarkable series of publications, illustrating voyages of discovery and travels of exploration to various parts of the world. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt, in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years. They became known collectively as the Grands Voyages (to America and the West Indies) and the Petits Voyages (to the Orient and the East Indies). De Bry died after the first six parts of the Grands Voyages were completed. The project was completed initially by his widow and two sons, Johann Theodore de Bry and Johann Israel de Bry, then by his son-in-law, Matthaus Merian in 1644.

This is a complete, disbound example of the sole Latin edition of Part VII of De Bry's Petits Voyages, consisting of an engraved title page, dedication, all 126 pages of Latin text, letterpress title page, and 22 plates. This part contains the expeditions of Gasparo Balbi to India and the East from 1579 to 1588 and Joris von Spilbergen to Ceylon in 1601 to 1604. Two of the plates are double-page: a map of Sri Lanka and a bird's-eye view of Kandy. The remaining plates depict Spilbergen and Natives primarily of Sri Lanka and Myanmar, such as their customs, clothing, and ceremonies. Each plate has printed text at the bottom with blank versos, with the exception of the double-page plates, which have the text printed on verso. The plates are:

I. Spilbergen fleet departs from the town of Veere in Zealand (Netherlands)
II. The Admiral Spilbergen's experiences at Port Daele and Refrisco (Cape Verde Islands)
III. An accurate drawing of Table Bay (South Africa)
IV. The fate of the French in Anabon (Moluccas)
V. A sketch of the town Matecalo (Sri Lanka)
VI. A sketch of the town, Vintane (Sri Lanka)
VII. What Admiral Spielbergen experienced while anchored at Matecalo (Sri Lanka)
VIII. A description of the royal town of Candy (Sri Lanka)
IX. A map of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
X. The king of Candy meets the Dutch Admiral (Sri Lanka)
XI. The coat of arms belonging to the kings of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
XII. The English and Dutch attack a Portuguese ship (Moluccas)
XIII. How the tribes, living on the Euphrates, water their fields (Middle East)
XIV. Strange ceremonies of the Amocchi of Chiaui folk (Sri Lanka)
XV. A method of transport used in Pegu (Myanmar)
XVI. The king of Pegu and his audience in court (Myanmar)
XVII. How the king of Pegu destroys traitors (Myanmar)
XVIII. A battle between King Pegu and King Auua (Myanmar)
XIX. How the elephants are caught in Pegu (Myanmar)
XX. The king of Pegu's festival (Myanmar)
XXI. Other festivals in the kingdom of Pegu (Myanmar)
XXII. The funerals of kings and priests in Pegu (Myanmar)

It appears that the plates and text are from the same example, as the majority is still bound together, although the title page, dedication, and a few of the plates are loose. It is possible that the few pages and plates that are more toned are from a different example (see the condition report below for more details).

References: Church #216.

Condition:

Nearly all of the plates are in "A" condition -- clean and bright with light dampstains that enter the text at bottom. The double-page plates are in "B" condition with moderate toning. Plate III is in "C+" condition with heavy toning. The text has occasional light toning and foxing, and the title page and dedication page are both moderately toned.